Top Unsweetened Cocoa Powder Brands for Baking Bliss

Unsweetened cocoa powder is a staple for any baking enthusiast, known for its ability to add rich, bold chocolate flavor to various recipes without any added sugar. With so many brands available on the market, choosing the right one can significantly impact the quality of your baked goods. Among the top contenders are renowned names that have built a reputation for providing premium quality and consistent results. Curious to see which brands made it to our list of the best unsweetened cocoa powders? Read on to find out.

Illustration of unsweetened cocoa powder

Best brands of unsweetened cocoa powder in 2025

Valrhona

Valrhona is renowned as one of the best producers of unsweetened cocoa powder, offering a product with an intense, pure cocoa taste and a warm red mahogany color. Their cocoa powder is Dutch-processed, which involves alkalization to enhance the color, taste, and texture. As of 2023, 86% of Valrhona's cocoa can be traced back to its original plot, with a goal to achieve 100% traceability by the end of 2024. This high level of traceability helps in ensuring a fair and sustainable supply chain. Valrhona's cocoa powder is also Kosher certified and suitable for various gourmet recipes.

Guittard

Guittard is renowned as one of the best producers of unsweetened cocoa powder, particularly with its Dutch-process options like the Guittard Red Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder, which is exceptionally smooth and milder than traditional counterparts. Founded in 1868 in San Francisco, Guittard is the oldest continuously family-owned and operated chocolate company in the United States, now under the fourth and fifth generation of family management. Their cocoa powders are favored by pastry chefs and home bakers for their rich, deep chocolate flavors. Guittard also offers organic, fair-trade, and non-GMO options, such as the Guittard Organic Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. With over 150 years of experience, Guittard continues to innovate and commit to sustainability in cocoa-growing regions.

Ghirardelli

Ghirardelli is renowned for its high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder, offering a deep, intense flavor that enhances any chocolate-based recipe. Since 1852, Ghirardelli has been a trusted name in gourmet chocolate, and their 100% unsweetened cocoa powder is Dutch-processed without alkaline, ensuring a rich and balanced flavor profile. This cocoa powder is sustainably sourced and ideal for baking decadent treats like molten chocolate cake and brownies. It contains no added sugars and provides 4% of the daily iron value per serving. Ghirardelli's unsweetened cocoa powder has received high praise from professional bakers for its distinct dark chocolate notes without being overly bitter or sweet.

Navitas Organics

Navitas Organics is a leading brand in the production of high-quality, unsweetened cocoa powder, known for its commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices. Founded in 2003, the company has been a pioneer in the superfood category, contributing to the significant growth of the organic food market from $10-11 billion to $49.4 billion by 2017. Their organic cacao powder is rich in nutrients, containing 2g of protein, 2g of dietary fiber, and essential minerals like iron and potassium per serving. The product is certified organic and regenerative organic certified, ensuring it meets stringent standards for health and environmental sustainability. With a strong presence in major retailers like Whole Foods Market and Amazon, Navitas Organics continues to be a trusted choice for health-conscious consumers. You can find more information about their certified organic cacao powder on Target's website.

Anthony's Goods

Anthony's Goods is a reputable brand known for producing high-quality, unsweetened cocoa powder, sourced from premium suppliers around the world, including the Dominican Republic. Their Organic Natural Cocoa Powder is non-alkalized, rich in antioxidants, and contains 10-12% fat content, making it ideal for baking, hot cocoa, and other recipes. This product is also a source of fiber and high in magnesium, with each 100-gram serving providing 300 calories, 20 grams of fat, and 40 grams of dietary fiber. Anthony's Goods ensures batch testing and verification for gluten-free status, adhering to strict FDA guidelines. Their products are USDA Organic, Non-GMO, and vegan/vegetarian-friendly.

Droste

Droste is renowned as one of the best producers of unsweetened cocoa powder, with a history spanning over 150 years since its founding in 1863. The brand is particularly celebrated for its Dutch-processed cocoa powder, which is praised for its rich and intense flavor. Droste's cocoa powder has been recognized for excellence, winning a blind taste test conducted by America's Test Kitchen and selected as the best by Cook's Illustrated. Each serving of Droste cocoa powder contains 30 calories, with a macronutrient breakdown of 38% carbs, 43% fat, and 19% protein. The brand's commitment to quality and traditional Dutch craftsmanship has made it a favorite among chocolatiers and home bakers. Discover more about Droste cocoa powder.

Scharffen Berger

Scharffen Berger is renowned for its high-quality chocolate products, including its unsweetened cocoa powder, which is made from the finest cacao beans selected from around the world. Established in 1996 by John Scharffenberger and Robert Steinberg, the company is the first American chocolate maker to produce chocolate "from bean to bar" in over 50 years. Scharffen Berger's 100% Cacao Unsweetened Cocoa Powder is a staple for baking, offering a rich and intense flavor. The company's commitment to quality is evident in its careful selection of cacao beans from countries like Ghana, Trinidad, and Madagascar. After being acquired by The Hershey Company in 2005, Scharffen Berger continued to innovate, such as launching vegan oat milk chocolate products in 2023.

Equal Exchange

Equal Exchange is renowned for producing high-quality, unsweetened cocoa powder that is both Fairtrade and organic. Their cocoa powder, made from 100% organic cocoa, is sourced from small farmer cooperatives, such as Conacado in the Dominican Republic, ensuring fair prices and ethical treatment for the farmers. This Dutch-processed cocoa is perfect for baking and hot chocolate, offering a rich and flavorful experience. Since its inception, Equal Exchange has been committed to sustainable practices, starting its fair trade produce program in 2006 and expanding to include avocados in 2013. With a strong focus on environmental sustainability and social justice, Equal Exchange stands out as a leader in the fair trade industry. For more reviews and information about their Fairtrade and organic cocoa, visit Ethical Superstore.

Cacao Barry

Cacao Barry, a renowned brand under the Barry Callebaut umbrella, is esteemed for its high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder, made from sustainably sourced, COH-certified beans. This cocoa powder is characterized by its incomparable aromatic intensity and smooth texture, ideal for various applications including drinks, breakfasts, and snacks. With a rich history dating back to the merger of Callebaut and Cacao Barry in 1996, the brand has established itself as a leader in the chocolate industry, serving both industrial manufacturers and professional chocolatiers.

Hershey's

Hershey's is a renowned brand and a leading producer of high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder, known for its natural and non-GMO ingredients. Their 100% Cocoa, Natural Unsweetened product contains 10 calories, 0.5g of total fat, and 0g of total sugars per 1 tablespoon serving, making it a popular choice for health-conscious consumers. With a rich history dating back to 1894, Hershey's continues to innovate and expand its product portfolio. The company is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and markets its products under over 100 brand names in approximately 80 countries worldwide. Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder is also rich in dietary fiber and iron, providing 6% of the daily value for dietary fiber and 10% for iron per serving.